Looking at the samples it seems like maybe this adds that extra part that you are supposed to do but isn't laid out in the other books? I find the HIG for the standards edition to be pretty difficult to use, so I wonder if I would like this better. Noelle

My cart has about $200 in it right now, probably another $50 to add. I usually do 3 orders over the year, all around $150-200. Noelle

I am back at the boards again making myself crazy, staying up until all hours, and still feeling indecisive :confused: On the bright side, I have discovered that my dd8 is a VSL. We have had much fighting and tears over math and I think maybe this is why. So, I have been using Singapore, she is just finishing 1B but does not have her facts down yet and still uses her fingers (although she did tell me when I asked her not to use them that she can still see them and use them in her head...so there). I downloaded some MM and she says she likes the format of that better. She said she likes that it shows everything on the page instead of just saying "add". Now, I was thinking that the problem could be that I didn't do enough on the whiteboard. I think I got frustrated because when I am talking she will cover her ears and start to melt down. It seems like maybe my verbally explaining is overwhelming for her. So I was considering using Singapore and MM and doing more examples on the whiteboard with less talking. Or switching to MM and using something else for supplement. Or trying Horizons... And then I saw McRuffy Math and it looks fun...You see where this is headed. I feel like we are behind, and like I am failing her in math instruction, and I am just not sure where to go from here. Any help would be really appreciated! Noelle DS8 - GWG, AAS, WW, SM1B, HO, R.E.A.L. Science

I see it too, it's there. There is a lot more to the financial picture than the things that are mentioned, a lot more. Having said that, I don't think that the bias would preclude my using the books. In this example I see a great lead in to discussions of economics and that sometimes people oversimplify because either they don't fully understand, or it better suits their political leanings, or both. We all have an agenda, we all have a bias, I think it would be very difficult to eliminate it entirely when writing and you would lose flavor if you did so. In all our studies, I expect our discussion and range of materials/books to present a wide range of views and ideas. I think that in order to be educated you have to be able to look at and think through different views than your own. You should know why you believe the way you do. JMO, and before coffee so maybe clearer thoughts will occur later. Noelle

:iagree: Go hear Pudewa if you get the chance, he is fantastic. I have a daughter who is like this and it took Pudewa to point out that forcing her to sit at the table is silly. I battled with her every day to get her to do her math, now that I let her take it where she wants, usually the floor, she is doing it happily. I let her move more, stand during things where possible, and let go a little and it has made a world of difference. Noelle

Just got mine here in WI. I am settling in with a glass of wine to read and mark pages....cause what I really need is MORE curriculum :lol: Noelle

:lurk5: Hoping someone answers as I have been wondering about this one too. Noelle

Thanks, I am looking for an unabridged read aloud that can become a cherished part of our collection. Noelle

I would like to get a really nice edition of this book, with good illustrations but am having a hard time finding one. Anyone know of one? Thanks! Noelle

We do both every day here, with Friday being the day I do crafts and/or experiments usually. Noelle

I didn't realize that one could homeschool other people's kids. Is this allowed in all states or just some? Noelle

To me, that sounds like RS4K, maybe pre-level 1 Chemistry. Noelle

We have roughly 36 weeks, broken into four 9 week quarters. Noelle

We love ETC here and have done 1-5 so far. I have used a couple of the 1/2 books and they are just like the regular numbers. I never used a teacher guide and we did fine. Noelle

I just got a used Xyron 850 off e-bay and then ordered a roll of laminate from JoAnns ($25). I am very happy with it and it has the crank you turn. I may go ahead and get a 1250 next so I can do file folders. Noelle

We have two dogs and they are absolutely not allowed on the furniture, they are occasionally allowed on the bed but it is by invitation only and they both know that. One of our dogs is a boxer and he is a snorer, so I usually don't let him in my room, but he does sleep with dd occasionally. Noelle

:lurk5: This is similar to my planned agenda so I am curious to see what people say. Noelle

We have this one too and it is fantastic! I have the Usporne Spotter cards for the night sky and the combination is great with my 7.5 year old. Noelle

For me, since a lot of the stuff that is sort of debatable, or only a theory (for example the Big Bang Theory, or oceanic salt content as a means to age the earth) and not actually proven or provable, if only one side of it is included that is an opportunity for me to bring up all possibilities and explain that there are different theories and possibilities. I also explain what I believe and why. Noelle

I can't say enough how much I like the other aspects of this book, and to me, editing out a sentence here and there is not a big deal. Plus, while the conversational style of the writing may not appeal to me, as an adult, I am really not the one that needs to like it, and my dd7 loves it. Studying one topic, in depth, means that there is more chance to really delve into what interests us and actually have some retention of information, rather then just here, there, everywhere. In the end I guess it is about what works for your child, this is a great fit for us and as an entirely secular homeschooler I don't see the "creation" aspect of this as a reason to bypass it. Noelle

My Zoology 2 - Swimming Creatures arrived yesterday and I had time to peruse the first couple of lessons with my sharpie. In the introductory portion at the beginning I edited an entire paragraph, after that, I really only had to edit a little. There are a couple of "facts" they say prove creation that I will have research and then decide how I want to present, but other than that I think this is going to be an excellent text for us. The information about the actual science is excellent and thorough and my dd7 is SO excited by this book. Noelle

Wow, thank you for that link, I am going to try it out now! Noelle

I ending up not using the HIG for most of the year even though I had them. I found when I used just the text and workbook my explanations and activities worked better for my daughter, instead of my wording things and using the HIG suggestions. This was for 1A/1B. I still ordered them for 2A and B this year just so I have something to fall back on if I need to. NOelle

Sadly our library doesn't have this or any other good language resources. My dd wants to learn French (which I do have some background in) so I thought we would give it a try I just can't decide what program to use, so thanks for all the answers so far. Noelle

Has anyone used this? There is a group buy on the homeschool buyers co-op and I am considering it for our language lessons. Thanks. Noelle